Legal Definitions - relative right

A relative right is a legal entitlement held by one specific person or entity against another specific person or entity. Unlike an absolute right, which is enforceable against everyone generally, a relative right arises from a particular relationship, agreement, or legal status, creating a corresponding duty or obligation for the identified party. It establishes a direct legal link between two or more specific parties.

• Example 1: Contractual Obligation

  Imagine a homeowner hires a contractor to build an extension on their house. The homeowner has a relative right to have the extension built according to the agreed-upon plans and within the specified timeframe. This right is relative because it is held specifically against that particular contractor, who has a corresponding duty to perform the work. The homeowner cannot demand that any other random contractor build their extension; the right is tied to the specific contractual relationship.

• Example 2: Employee Wages

  When an individual works for a company, they have a relative right to receive their agreed-upon wages for the hours they have worked. This right is relative because it is held specifically against their employer, who has the corresponding legal and contractual duty to pay them. The employee cannot demand wages from a different company for whom they do not work; the right exists solely within the employer-employee relationship.

• Example 3: Child Support Payments

  Following a divorce, a court may order one parent to pay child support to the other parent for the benefit of their minor child. The child (or the custodial parent on their behalf) has a relative right to receive these financial payments from the non-custodial parent. This right is relative because it is specifically enforceable against that particular parent, who has a legal obligation to provide the support. It does not create a duty for any other individual or entity to provide that specific child support.